Huron's clergy raising a toast to our friend, Davor. Cheers and thank you!
GROWING BEYOND THE DOORS
By Rev. Canon Grayhame Bowcott
THIS ARTICLE marks the fiftieth that I’ve written for Huron Church News. Looking back on the discussions we’ve shared together, I am thankful to the man who has given me the prompting, the joyful encouragement, and the monthly writing deadlines to make this possible: our friend and editor, Davor Milicevic.
You have likely heard by now that Davor is soon to retire from this position with the Diocese. In celebration of his work and ministry among us, I wanted to share a few thoughts on the impact of the outreach of our HCN among its readership in Huron.
For several years, there have been discussions about the possibility of print newspapers disappearing from the landscape of the Anglican Church of Canada. Following similar trends of declining membership and financial resources, church newspapers have been hard-pressed to reinvent themselves, year after year, with reduced budgets and, in many places, declining readership. Supporters of print newspapers are deeply thankful for the existing relationship we have with the Anglican Journal, that allows for dioceses, large and small, to partner with them in the printing and delivery of diocesan news. It is this writer’s opinion that this relationship has been the backbone and lifeblood of communication among Anglicans across the country.
In the May 2025, edition of the Anglican Journal, a report from the Council of General Synod was shared, which recommends that the publication of the Journal be budgeted for at least three more years of print circulation. The alternative, as is being explored at this time, is to transition away from print newsletters to e-news (virtual newspapers). Although there is a premium to being able to provide print newspapers in a day of shrinking budgets, I would argue that these are resources well-spent.
For a moment, join me in reflecting on the ministries that are shared in our monthly, print copies of the Huron Church News. In each edition we are provided a direct connection with our bishop, and his vision for the Diocese of Huron. We also celebrate a cross-section of ministry news from communal events large and small. It is through the newspaper that most in the diocese hear of any pastoral progressions (the retirements and ministry appointments in Huron).
We have also made space in our monthly news conversations to hear ministry reflections from columnists who hold one foot in the canoe of ministry practice, while situating their other foot on the shore of theology, life and learning experiences. I believe that most readers find the Huron Church News, with its partnership with the Anglican Journal, to be one of the greatest tools of fellowship and evangelism available to us today. Simply put, it’s the media by which our Christian family shares, seeks, doubts, learns and encourages one another. It’s the backbone of our party line of communication.
Here I want to express my appreciation to the generous man behind the scenes who makes our Diocesan conversations possible. Davor Milicevic has been a catalyst and a support of ministries throughout the diocese. He has done this by telling our stories and celebrating them in such a professional manner through the Huron Church News. If you have ever read the newspapers from other dioceses in Canada, you would quickly recognize that Huron’s is of the highest quality and character. It's for this reason that we have been an award-winning church newspaper for many years.
As a reluctant writer, I want to say ‘Thank you’ to Davor for his humour, his support and his flexibility in encouraging so many of us over the years. I can tell you honestly that I would not have been able to contribute fifty articles had it not been for the monthly nudging of this good friend.
So, by way of honouring Davor and his years of ministry in Huron, may I propose an action that might be mutually beneficial, both in celebrating him and in supporting our beloved HCN? In the weeks ahead, it is my intention to revisit my parish membership roll and, with the help of some volunteers, call each and every member on my list to ask if they are currently receiving the Huron Church News. If they aren’t, I’m going to share the many blessings of this ministry with them, as I just have with you, and encourage them to sign up and join in the conversation! I have a hunch that if all the churches in our diocese took this same action, that we might be able to share the gift of ‘Our Christian Story’ with a new generation of Anglican readers.
Let us raise a toast to our faithful Editor, Davor Milicevic, and let us do so by further supporting the work that he has poured his life into on our behalf. I invite all the congregations in the Diocese to consider joining me in this celebration!
Rev. Canon Dr. Grayhame Bowcott serves as Rector of St. George’s, The Parish of The Blue Mountains, and as Program Director for the Licentiate in Theology program at Huron University.